Cache Valley – Discover your own adventure; it’s in your own backyard

contributed by Julie Hollist, Cache Valley Visitors Bureau
Visitors come from all around the world to experience our wonderland for adventurers and families of all ages. From award-winning arts to hands-on Western heritage and easy access to endless outdoor activities, we’ve got it all. Sometimes residents are the last to realize it, so take a step back and look around like you’re a tourist in your own backyard. I promise you’ll be impressed.
For example, You know that Cache Valley is famous for our cheese, ice cream and happy cows. Celebrate those beautiful bovines in the small town of Richmond (just north of Logan) May 13-17. Black and White Days is the longest running festival in tribute of the Holstein cow west of the Mississippi. Now that’s a mouthful. This is true Americana from the pancake breakfast and cowabunga race to the community booths, parade, movie in the park and draft horse pulls.

On Memorial Day weekend don’t miss the Old Ephraim Mountain Man Rendezvous in Blacksmith Fork Canyon east of Hyrum. This is one of the West’s largest mountain man gatherings and reenacts an 1820s rendezvous that was held right here in Cache Valley. You’ll see participants dressed in period costumes as they re-create the adventure and rugged spirit of a bygone era. See primitive archery and shooting, kids’ games, Dutch oven cooking and trader’s row. Lively games test hatchet, primitive archery, knife, black-powder and cooking skills.

If you want to enjoy nature, we’ve got plenty of that too and it’s so accessible. In a 5-minute drive from downtown Logan you’re in the Wasatch Cache National Forest where you can rock climb, fish, hike, bird-watch and bike. Rewarding challenges await novices and experts alike.

Springtime is beautiful and summer is loaded with activity. Our arts scene is smoking hot with repertory theatre performances starting in June, free concerts at the historic Tabernacle Monday through Friday all summer and a spectacular fireworks show and concert July 3.

The award-winning Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre opens July 9-Aug. 9. More than 300 performers straight from New York and major stages across the country will present Les Miserables, The Student Prince, Vanessa and Oklahoma along with concerts, backstage tours, breakfast with the stars and academy classes.

Experience the true West at the American West Heritage Center, 160 acres of hands-on living history. The site features Shoshone Indians, mountain men, pioneers, and turn-of-the-century farming. Take a wagon or pony ride, throw hatchets, make arts and crafts, listen to stories and music and more.

If you want more info on things to do in Cache Valley, log on to www.explorelogan.com, call 755-1890 or visit us in the historic courthouse at 199 N. Main. We’ve got a great gift shop for locals and tourists with books about the area, Logan souvenirs, postcards and tons more. Now get out and explore Cache Valley!